"Precious Life" Documentary Film Short-Listed for an Oscar

Dr. Raz Somech, head of pediatric immunology at Sheba's Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, has become somewhat of an international film star and may yet win an Academy Award. Somech stars in the Israeli documentary "Precious Life" (produced by Shlomi Eldar of Israel's Channel 10 TV news) about a baby boy from Gaza whose life Somech saves at Sheba. The film was lauded by diplomatic columnist Thomas Friedman on the New York Times op-ed page as "remarkable...full of amazing compassion, even among enemies." "Steal this Movie," wrote Friedman, and "watch this documentary about the real Middle East." The film has now been short-listed for an Oscar award in February!

The film debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, where Somech and Eldar spoke and were subsequently feted by the Canadian Friends of Sheba. Dr. Somech hopes that the publicity will help Sheba raise the funds needed to establish a center for treatment of rare immune deficiency diseases.

Photo caption: Dr. Raz Somech